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■ Definition of Orthopedic
Impairment under IDEA
Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic
impairment that adversely affects a child’s educa-tional
performance. The term includes impairments
caused by congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence
of some member, etc.), and impairments from other
causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures
or burns that cause contractures). 34 CFR 300.8(c)(8)
TYPES
Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects the largest group of stu-dents
with Orthopedic Impairments in public schools.
It occurs when there is an injury to the brain before,
during, or after birth and results in poor motor coordi-nation
and unusual motor patterns. There are four main
types of cerebral palsy:
• Spastic: The most common form of CP is when there
is too much muscle tone or tightness. An individual
with Spastic CP generally has stiff or jerky movements
in one’s legs, arms, and/or back.
• Dykinetic: Affects the entire bodily movement of an
individual and slow and uncontrollable body move-ments
normally occur.
• Ataxic: Involves poor coordination, balance, and per-ception.
• Mixed: Involves a combination of symptoms from the
three types above.
Muscular Dystrophy occurs when voluntary muscles
progressively weaken and degenerate until they no
longer function. The onset of Muscular Dystrophy can
occur anytime between the ages of one to adulthood
and is believed to be hereditary.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease that affects the
spinal cord and may result in progressive degeneration
of the motor nerve cells. The severity runs from mild
weakness to characteristics similar to muscular dystro-phy.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is characterized in gen-eral
by fatigue and clumsiness. The cause is hereditary
and the age of onset is either in infancy or a later time
or between the ages of 2 and 17.
Spinal Cord Injuries occur when the spinal cord is
severely damaged or severed, usually resulting in partial
or extensive paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are most
commonly a result of an automobile or other vehicle
accident. The characteristics and needs of individuals
with spinal cord injuries are often similar to those with
cerebral palsy.
Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disorder where the
nerve impulses to the muscles are short circuited by
scar tissue. Initially mild problems may occur but as the
attacks continue, a person may develop a multitude
of problems. These include severe visual impairment,
speech disorder, loss of bowel and bladder control,
and paralysis. Symptoms may regress as remission
occurs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis causes general fatigue and stiff-ness
and aching of joints. Students who are affected
by this may have trouble being in one position for a
length of time.
Degenerative Diseases are comprised of a number of
diseases which affect a person’s motor development
(ex. Musculoskeletal, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Muscular Dystrophy).
EVALUATIONS
• Medical information from a licensed physician, and
ARNP, or the parent providing relevant medical find-ings
of orthopedic conditions, specific syndromes,
health problems, and medication is required.
• An evaluation of motor functioning by a licensed
Physical Therapists and/or Occupational Therapist, as
appropriate to the needs of the child, must be included.
• Individual evaluation of the child’s specific educa-tional
needs and present levels of performance in the
general education curriculum should be included.
• Assistive Technology will be an additional consider-ation
as a special factor for the evaluation process.
• The effect the child’s orthopedic impairment has on
his/her present levels of performance in the general
education curriculum, academic performance, achieve-ment,
or age appropriate activities will be important
information for the team to document and consider.
• Appropriate seating/positioning of the child is of pri-mary
consideration for effective screening, evaluation,
and instruction.
ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT FACT
SHEET
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Special Education Services • 405-521-3351 • www .ok.gov/sde/special-education

■ Definition of Orthopedic
Impairment under IDEA
Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic
impairment that adversely affects a child’s educa-tional
performance. The term includes impairments
caused by congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence
of some member, etc.), and impairments from other
causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures
or burns that cause contractures). 34 CFR 300.8(c)(8)
TYPES
Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects the largest group of stu-dents
with Orthopedic Impairments in public schools.
It occurs when there is an injury to the brain before,
during, or after birth and results in poor motor coordi-nation
and unusual motor patterns. There are four main
types of cerebral palsy:
• Spastic: The most common form of CP is when there
is too much muscle tone or tightness. An individual
with Spastic CP generally has stiff or jerky movements
in one’s legs, arms, and/or back.
• Dykinetic: Affects the entire bodily movement of an
individual and slow and uncontrollable body move-ments
normally occur.
• Ataxic: Involves poor coordination, balance, and per-ception.
• Mixed: Involves a combination of symptoms from the
three types above.
Muscular Dystrophy occurs when voluntary muscles
progressively weaken and degenerate until they no
longer function. The onset of Muscular Dystrophy can
occur anytime between the ages of one to adulthood
and is believed to be hereditary.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease that affects the
spinal cord and may result in progressive degeneration
of the motor nerve cells. The severity runs from mild
weakness to characteristics similar to muscular dystro-phy.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is characterized in gen-eral
by fatigue and clumsiness. The cause is hereditary
and the age of onset is either in infancy or a later time
or between the ages of 2 and 17.
Spinal Cord Injuries occur when the spinal cord is
severely damaged or severed, usually resulting in partial
or extensive paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are most
commonly a result of an automobile or other vehicle
accident. The characteristics and needs of individuals
with spinal cord injuries are often similar to those with
cerebral palsy.
Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disorder where the
nerve impulses to the muscles are short circuited by
scar tissue. Initially mild problems may occur but as the
attacks continue, a person may develop a multitude
of problems. These include severe visual impairment,
speech disorder, loss of bowel and bladder control,
and paralysis. Symptoms may regress as remission
occurs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis causes general fatigue and stiff-ness
and aching of joints. Students who are affected
by this may have trouble being in one position for a
length of time.
Degenerative Diseases are comprised of a number of
diseases which affect a person’s motor development
(ex. Musculoskeletal, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Muscular Dystrophy).
EVALUATIONS
• Medical information from a licensed physician, and
ARNP, or the parent providing relevant medical find-ings
of orthopedic conditions, specific syndromes,
health problems, and medication is required.
• An evaluation of motor functioning by a licensed
Physical Therapists and/or Occupational Therapist, as
appropriate to the needs of the child, must be included.
• Individual evaluation of the child’s specific educa-tional
needs and present levels of performance in the
general education curriculum should be included.
• Assistive Technology will be an additional consider-ation
as a special factor for the evaluation process.
• The effect the child’s orthopedic impairment has on
his/her present levels of performance in the general
education curriculum, academic performance, achieve-ment,
or age appropriate activities will be important
information for the team to document and consider.
• Appropriate seating/positioning of the child is of pri-mary
consideration for effective screening, evaluation,
and instruction.
ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT FACT
SHEET
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Special Education Services • 405-521-3351 • www .ok.gov/sde/special-education